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Paper Talk: United, Arsenal target Atletico ace; £20m Cesc talk

Manchester United and Arsenal are both chasing Atletico Madrid centre-back Jose Gimenez, while Man City are eyeing a £20million move for Cesc Fabregas, all in today’s papers.

UNITED AND ARSENAL TO BATTLE FOR GIMENEZ

Manchester United and Arsenal are reportedly preparing to do battle for Atletico Madrid’s £40million-rated defender Jose Gimenez.

The Sunday Mirror claim United have been watching the 21-year-old for a while after he came to their attention while they were scouting striker Antoine Griezmann.

The Uruguay international has made giant strides in La Liga since moving from Uruguayan side Danubio for around £750,000 in July 2013. He has only played twice this season after injuring his abductor muscle in the 1-0 win over Deportivo last month, but he is set to return in the next week.

He featured 37 times last season and scored once and while he has developed into one of the most exciting defenders in La Liga it’s debatable whether he “has an eye for goal” with one to his name last season.

Reports in the summer suggested he had £56million buy-out clause in his contract which runs until June 2018.

Arsenal “have already made enquiries” but Atletico boss Diego Simeone is desperate to keep hold of the Uruguay international, but if Simeone moves on in the summer then Gimenez could well follow him out of the Vincente Calderon.

PEP TARGETS £20M FABREGAS MOVE

Pep Guardiola is set to make a shock £20million bid to bring Cesc Fabregas to Man City, according to a report.

“Guardiola is keen to sign his fellow Spaniard in January,” according to The Sun.

The 29-year-old has found himself down the pecking order under Antonio Conte at Chelsea this season and he has started just once in the Premier League – the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal when he was hooked just after half-time.

The Spain international is believed to have turned down AC Milan and Juventus in the summer and may well be open to a switch to City, who could offer a future move to their sister club New York as a sweetener.

Fabregas is understood to be keen on winding down his career in the MLS and so a move to City followed by a transfer to New York City could well appeal.

Guardiola, who is reportedly looking to add some creativity to his midfield, bought Fabregas for Barcelona from Arsenal in 2011 for £35million and he was magnificent scoring 20 goals and adding 15 assists as Barca won four trophies that season.

The Blues are happy to improve Fabregas’ current £160k-a-week deal, which runs until June 2019.

Tottenham’s Netherlands forward Vincent Janssen, 22, consulted former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy before making his £17m switch from AZ Alkmaar in the summer. (Helden)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been given “unprecedented levels of control” at the club after threatening to get rid of underperforming players. (Mail on Sunday)

Manchester United could recall 21-year-old left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson from his loan spell at Wolves, with the defender struggling for first-team football at the Championship side. (Mail on Sunday)

Chelsea are set to offer the England Under-21 midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, 21, a new contract to stay at Stamford Bridge. (Sunday Mirror)

Former Brazil forward and two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho, 36, is considering three offers to continue his career.(O Jogo)